Hydraulic device for compressing gases.



K. GAULDIE.

HYDRAULIC DEVICE FOR COMPRESSING GASES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29. 1915.

1 9 167,559, Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

ZOLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH COQW'ASHINGTDN, D. C

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29,1915.

Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co.,w.\snma'r0N. D. c.

KENNETH GAULDIE, OF GLASGOW, SCOTLAND.

HYDRAULIC DEVICE FOR GOMPRESSING GASES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 11, rare.

Application filed. March 29, 1915. Serial No. 17,880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, KENNETH GAULDIE, a sub ect of the King of Great Britain, residing in Glasgow, Scotland, have lnvented certain new and useful Improvements 1n Hydraulic Devices for Compressing Gases,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to hydraulic devices for compressing gases of the kind in which the gases are entrained and compressed by means of a liquid moving at a high velocity and is characterized by the provision in such devices of a secondary supply of liquid which is introduced into the ejection passage or passages where it mingles with the primary supply and entrained gases, the object being to increase the efiiciency of apparatus of this kind by insuring that the intimate mingling of the entrained gas and the liquid will take place at low pressure, this object being attained by minimizing the development of pressure in the apparatus due to shock at the point of coalescence, 2'. 6., at the region where the water, moving at high velocity and in a manner more or less unconstrained by the boundaries of the passage through which it flows, is arrested and coalesces with its entrained air as an emulsion completely filling the ejection passage and exerting a static pressure against its walls.

The secondary liquid supply is at a comparatively low pressure and enters the space traversed by the primary supply and the air entangled with it, at a point of still lower pressure where the two streams intermingle and advance as a combined stream at a velocity which may be little more than the minimum required under the best conditions for self-ejection. At a subsequent point which should be close to the narrowest section of the ejection passage, the combined stream coalesces with the air entangled with it into the form of an emulsion. At this point of coalescence there is a sudden arrestment of the velocity of the liquid stream with a consequent rise in pressure due to shock. but owing to the comparati ely low velocity of the comb ned stream at this point the change in velocity and the consequent rise in pressure due to shock need only be small so that the emulsification takes place at low pressure. The velocity still remaining in the water is sutlicient for the selfejection from this point ofthe water with its entrained air against the external pressure.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 represents in vertical section an apparatus illustrating the principle of the invention. Fig. 2 represents a vertical sectional view through a horizontally disposed apparatus intended more particularly for marine condensing installations. Fig. 3 represents a slight modification of the arrangment shown in Fig. 1.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the high velocity or primary water supply may assume any convenient form, such as jets, shoots or sprays, but as the method of subdivision of the water forms no part of this invention, the subdividing means are illustrated in the figure simply as a nest A of small nozzles delivering parallel of water entering through the branch B, at high velocity into the air space H. The primary supply, together with the air or other gas which it aspirates through the branch pipe C, passes down a tube l) which is preterably oi considerable length and uniform cross section. At the end of this tube and surrounding it is an annular nozzle F through which water from a source of comparatively low pressure enters. The most convenient source of this secondary supply is the sealing tank or other space into which the water is finally discharged. As in an air pump the vacuum at the end of the tube D is still high unless coalescence has taken place in the tube, water drawn through the plpe E is sucked through the secondary nozzle F into the space K where it mingles with the primary supply and its entrained air to form a combined stream the velocity of which need be little more than sufiicient tor self-eiection through the expanding channel G. The point of coalescence of the comb ned stream should be as near as possible to the point of minimum section of the expanding channel (l, as this is the point where the velocity of the stream after coalescence is highest and the shock rise in pressure lowest.

According to the mod fication as shown in Fig. 2, they ejector is combined with a closed sealing tank which mav also serve as the support for the water pump. and its motor. A discharge orifice. N communicating with the sea is provided on the tank and as much sea water as is delivered by the pump to the nozzles through the branch B is dis charged through the branchl-I along with the air removed from the condenser; while the secondary supply circulates through the tank. -It maybe preferable, however, in

cases where the air pump would be considerably below the water level not to discharge against the external pressure of the sea but to allow the water pump supplying the primary jets to suck from the sealing tank which may then be open and to allow only sul'licient sea water to enter the tank to keep the sealing water cool. For the purpose of keeping the level of the water in the sealing tank constant a part of the water from the water pump may be by-passed into a jet pump connected to the tank at about the level of the sealing water surface. 'I he jet pump being made capable of delivering a slightly greater volume of water against the external sea pressure than is admitted through a valve into the sealing tank from the sea clears the sealing tank until the water has reached the level at which the jet pump begins to suck air, at which level the water in the tank remains. A jet pump operated from the water pump may likewise be used to supply cooling water to the tank in circumstances when the tank is above the surface of the supply available for this purpose.

As it is difficult to prevent some spreading of the primary supply, when in a state of subdivision, against the walls of the tube 1) and the consequential loss of energy, the secondary jet may be arranged to flow for srme distance as a tube of water encircling the primary supply and the air aspirated by it. If now side-spraying or spreading of the primary supply should occur there is less loss of energy than if the walls of the tube were solid as the secondary jet gains the momentum lost by the primary supply. The ejector illustrated in Fig. 2 is of this nature and according to this arrangement the secondary jet coming from the nozzle F flows with undiminished velocity in the form of a tube through which the primary supply passes, to the ejector neck K at which point the mingling of the two streams occurs.

As the water tube may tend to expand due to the side spreading of the primary jet and to the slight rise in the pressure of the air between its two ends, one or more guides 0 may be inserted in its path to bring it back to its original shape it it should have expanded. To insure that the secondary jet shall be moving in air a connection from behind the iet may be made with the air inlet through the channel P, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

The expanding ejection channel G preferably flares or spreads sidewise toward its discharge end so as to permit the water to flow over the table M back toward the secondary nozzle, as a comparatively thin stream from which the air may easily separate.

Instead of the secondary supply entering as a single annular stream it may enter as a series of jets projecting themselves into the path of the primary supply. As this ar rangement permits of the secondary supply crossing the line of motion of the primary supply, while at the same time allowing sutlicient space for the unconstrained movement of the combined stream, the two supplies are enabled to mingle and to assume their common velocity and to flow with this velocity for some distance before coalescence takes place. The ejector illustrated in Fig. 3 is designed on this principle. According to this arrangement a series of separate jets R deliver the secondary supply into the parallel neck K of the ejector cone into which the primary supply from the tube I) also flows. The lines of motion of the secondary jets cross the lines of motion of the primary supply and as some free space is left between the secondary jets, the two supplies can mingle, unconstrained by any solid boundary, thus insuring the intimate mingling of the air with the whole body of water.

To insure that the shock shall not take place too close to the mouths of the secondary nozzles and hinder the flow of the secondary supply, a connection may be made through the channels S, T, U between the tube D and the neck K of the ejector below the secondary nozzles R, which insures that the pressure in the ejector neck shall not greatly exceed that in the tube I).

In cases where it is important that the volume of water circulating shall not be large, the velocity of the combined stream resulting from the mixing of the two jet-s may exceed the minimum required for selfejection without the assistance of an expanding channel, in which case no expanding channel need be fitted.

The invention is illustrated as applied to the static type of ejector but it is equally applicable to that class of ejector in which the energy required for the ejection of the air is imparted to the water by an impeller directly combined with the ejector and rotating as a rule in the air or steam space at condenser pressure. In this type of air pump the water usually leaves the impeller as a series of sheets or sprays separated by air spaces, and these sheets are directed along one or more discharge channels from which they are seltejected with their entrained air by virtue of their high velocity. In this class of pump the ejection space may take the form of a single passage when the water is ejected from a segment of the impeller and when the water is thrown out completely around the periphery of the impeller the ejection space is usually in the shape of an annulus with or without guide vanes placed in the direction of motion of the water leaving the impeller. -But whatever the nature of the ejection passage or passages, the secondary supply should be arranged to enter substantially in the direction of motion of the primary supply, in order that the shock losses taking place where the two supplies intermingle may be reduced to a minimum.

In the type of pump in which the ejection channel is in the shape of an annulus without guide vanes the secondary supply may enter at an angle corresponding with the direction of motion of the primary supply, either as a series of jets or as two annular jets surrounding the primary supply thrown out by the impeller. In this type of pump the Walls of the annular passage preferably converge radially outward, as in this manner the area of the ejection passage may be controlled to suit the conditions and also when the secondary supply enters as two completely circular jets surrounding the primary supply, the primary supply is made to cross the path of the secondary supply, giving an opportunity for the intimate mixing of the two streams before coalescence takes place.

The invention has been described particularly in its adaptation to removing air from condensers, but suitably modified, it is applicable to compressing gases between any pressure limits. For compressing gases to a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, an arrangement similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2 may be adopted in which a closed tank is used into which the compressed air and spent water are discharged and through which the secondary supply circulates. The primary supply should likewise be taken from the sealing tank to the machine which imparts to it the energy necessary for the compression of the gas.

The invention is applicable to condensers in cases in which it is desirable that the machine which imparts the necessary energy to the water shall deal with as little water as possible, or where water from some source of high pressure and another supply from a low pressure source are available. Preferably, both primary and secondary jets should traverse 'the steam space and, although it is desirable that both supplies should be cold, the primary supply may be hot, as for instance would be the case if the primary supply were taken from the boiler "feed pumps.

Having thus described my invention and the best means I know of carrying the same into practical etiect, what I claim l. A hydraulic device for compressing gases, comprising, in combination, a conduit having an inlet for a high velocity primary liquid supply and an inlet for the gas to be compressed; a combining tube for said gas and liquid, said tube having an inlet at a point after the junction of said.

gas with the primary supply for the introduction of a secondary supply of liquid at a pressure not substantially exceeding that against which the liquid is discharged; a channel in which the primary supply of liquid with the entrained gas mingles with the secondary liquid supply to form a combined stream; and a receptacle to receive said combined stream.

2. A hydraulic device for compressing gases, comprising, in combination, a conduit having an inlet for a high velocity primary liquid supply and an inlet for the gas to be compressed; a combining tube for said gas and liquid, said tube having an inlet at a point after the junction of said gas with the primary supply for the introduction of a secondary supply of liquid at a pressure not substantially exceeding that against which the liquid is discharged; a channel in which the primary supply of liquid with the entrained gas mingles with the secondary liquid supply to form a combined stream; and a receptacle to receive said combined stream, said secondary supply being drawn from said receptacle into which the combined stream is discharged.

3. A hydraulic device for compressing gases, comprising, in combination, a conduit having an inlet for a high velocity primary liquid supply and an inlet for the gas to be compressed; a combining tube for said gas and liquid, said tube having an inlet at a point after the junction of the gas with the primary supply for the introduction of a secondary supply of liquid in the form of an annular jet encircling the primary supply at a pressure not substantially exceeding that against which the liquid is discharged; a channel in which the primary supply of liquid with the entrained gas mingles with the secondary liquid supply to form a combined stream, and a receptacle to receive said combined stream.

i. A hydraulic device for compressing gases, comprising, in combination, a conduit having an inlet for a high velocity primary liquid supply and an inlet for the gas to be compressed; a combining tube of considerable length substantially constant in cross section for said gas and liquid, said tube having an inlet surrounding the farther end of said combining tube for the in troduction of a secondary supply of liquid at a pressure not substantially exceeding that against which the liquid is discharged; a channel in which the primary supply of liquid with the entrained gas mingles with the secondary liquid supply to form a combined stream; and a receptacle to receive said combined stream.

5. A hydraulic device for compressing gases, comprising, in combination, a receptacle having an inlet for a high velocity primary liquid supply and an inlet for gases to be compressed, a combining tube for said gas and liquid and formed with an inlet, at a point after the junction of said gas with the primary supply, for the introduction of a secondary supply of liquid at a pressure not substantially, exceeding that against which the liquid is discharged; an expanding channel in which the primary supply of liquid with the entrained gas mingles with a secondary liquid supply to form a combined stream, and a receptacle to receive said combined stream.

6. A hydraulic device for compressing gases, con'iprisin in combination, a 0011- duit having an inlet for a high velocity primary liquid supply and an inlet for the gas to be compressed; a combining tube of considerable length substantially constant in cross section for said gas and liquid, said tube having an inlet surrounding the farther end of the combining tube for a secondary supply of liquid at a pressure not substantially exceeding that against which the liquid is discharged; a channel in which the primary supply of liquid with the entrained gas mingles with the secondary liquid supply to form a combined stream; a passage connecting said channel and said gas inlet; and a receptacle to receivesaid combined stream.

7. A hydraulic device for compressing gases, comprising, in combination, a conduit having an inlet for a high velocity primary liquid supply and an inlet for the gas to be compressed; a combining tube for said gas and liquid and formed with an inlet, at a point after the junction of said gas and said primary supply, for a secondary supply of liquid at a pressurenot substantially exceeding that against which the liquid is discharged; a channel in which the primar 7 supply of liquid with the entrained gas mingles with the secondary liquid supply to form acombined stream having a velocity only slightly in excess of that for self-ejection; and a receptacle to receive said combined stream.

8. A hydraulic device for compressing gases, comprising, in combination, a con duit having an inlet for a high velocity primary liquid supply and an inlet for the gas to be compressed; a combining tube for said gas and liquid and formed with an in let, at a point after the junction of said gas with said primary supply and prior to the point of coalescence, for a secondary supply of liquid at a pressure not substantially exceeding that against which the liquid is discharged; a channel in which the primary supply of liquid with the entrained gas mingles with the secondary liquid supply to form a combined stream, and a receptacle to receive said combined stream.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name .to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

KENNETH GAULDIE.

\Vitnesses J. I). MACKENZIE, J. B. I-IALLIDAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

